MANKATO, Minn (March 1, 2021) - The Buena Vista softball team capped off a busy weekend with a doubleheader split against Bethany Lutheran on Sunday afternoon, dropping the opener 6-4 before bouncing back with a commanding 6-0 shutout in the finale.

The Beavers came out a bit flat to start game one as the Vikings built a 6-1 lead after just one inning.  BVU settled in after that and chipped away at the Vikinigs lead with three runs in the third but couldn't get any closer.  Junior Ashtyn Miller, who had a monster weekend, put BVU in front in the top of the first with an RBI single for her lone hit of the game.  Rylee Cain got the rally going in the third with a sacrifice fly before both Carlee Guyett and Mckynze Hansen scored on wild pitches.

Miller came on in relief of Carrie Does at the start of the third inning and allowed just two hits and struck out five.  Alyssa Barnhart led the charge at the dish with a career-high three hits and two runs scored while also swiping a pair of bases.

BVU scored a run in the second on a Jamie Wendt RBI bunt attempt before the Beavers blew the game open with four runs in the fourth.  Savanna Pohlmann highlighted the inning with her two-run triple and later stole home when Kayden Archibeque was caught in a run down between first and second.

Shelby Gunther had a pair of singles in the contest as BVU finished with seven hits overall.  Miller added her second triple of the day while Gunther, Guyett and Elacie Torres all stole one base.

Junior Peyton Gross picked up the win inside the circle after allowing no runs and scattering four hits over four innings.  She struck out three and walked two.  Kennedi Claycomb made her collegiate debut and pitched the final three innings, allowing just one hit.

Buena Vista is now 5-1 overall and will be on the road for six games in three days this weekend, starting with a non-conference doubleheader at Greenville University on Friday starting at 2:00 p.m.